31/ 31 #4 Teaching by regions of the dog's body

TEACHING DOG MASSAGE BY REGIONS OF THE BODY

I have discovered in my teaching that dog owners no almost nothing about their dog’s anatomy. I originally started showing them which muscles connected with what bones, etc. but their eyes glazed over. The strategy that has worked much better is to look at the dog’s body by regions. The four regions I have selected are 1) scapula and back, 2) head and neck 3) hindquarters and 4) legs, belly and sides. I teach a four session basic course at the moment focusing on a major landmark or two in each of these four regions. I find that starting with the scapula has clear and easy results because everyone can pretty well find the scapula and outline it as part of the massage protocol. The dogs generally like this a lot also. Then the owners can see how the muscles connecting to the scapula affect leg extension and retraction and they can both see and feel this as a reality. I even like to get more granular if possible and have them feel the spine of the scapula. Most owners find this interesting as their sensitivity increases. What is even more wonderful is that the dogs tune into this exploration and become interested themselves.” Hmmm, they think, my owner never did this before”.  I also like to show how the longissimus muscle fits into the picture and begin showing the basic massage techniques on that long and wonderful muscle. It gives us a chance to talk about the importance of spine flexion, exercise and general overall dog health. The basic techniques of effleurage (which I call gliding) or petrissage (which I call kneading or perhaps circling) can be practiced very well on this long muscle.

31 posts - #3 - massage at a dogfair booth

I was volunteering at a booth to help raise money for the Gloucester MA dog park and a reported / photographer came by. The first woman came up to me with her terrier and said he does not like men, is impossible to calm down but is a very lovely dog. As is my custom I said "let's see how it goes". After connecting with the dog for just a few minutes, he leaned in against me settled down and gave me a lovely kiss. The woman owner was very surprised. I then proceed to do a gentle massage explaining to the owner what I was doing and what she might try at home. The reported got inspired took lots of photos and decided that dog massage would be her story. The next person who came was a woman who had a mini-dachshund named Pricess Aurora (go figure). She said that Aurora was not in a good mood that day. I invied her to sit on my little cushion with Auroa and that I would do my best. Aurora was immediately receptive. I asked her what part of Aurora is most difficult for her to touch. She immediately said that Aurora won't let her touch her toes. I asked how it goes when cutting her nails and she made a wincing expression. I showed her a technique for the toes and Aurora had each toe on all four feet individually massage, top and bottom, including the webbing between the toes. The reported took the photos and wrote the article which is included in the PRESS link on my website www.skillfulhandsdogmassage.com

31 blogs #2 - "Settling"

Just to be clear, I am working with dogs, not humans and there is a very big difference in massaging dogs and humans. For humans, you simply ask them to settle in, relax, roll over etc. For dogs, and especially dogs I don't know and who have never had a massage, settling in is a big deal. In fact, you could say, it is the gateway to a deeper experience. So my first goal with any dog I massage, even ones I have done before is to see if they will settle. That usually means they will get themselves comfortable either sitting, leaning against me, or best of all lying down comfortably. For an owner to watch this process is usually educational and entertaining, sometimes even magical if their dog finds it difficutl to relax or settle. I like to begin the settling process quietly, hanging out with the dog, letting my own breathing deepen and relax and simply noticing the dog's behavior. Simply things like moving towards me, moving way, soft eyes, general look of the body are all helpful signs and owners like this process very much as they really observe their dogs in detail. I work on the basis that "everything" the dog does is a form of communication and my job is to listen. Depending on the situation, I usually place my hand on the dog's back or scapula and let it rest their a bit to see what happens. At this point, whatever the dog does is furthering our communication. If and when the dog settles, I proceed with the massage.

31 blogs in 31 days

I just received an email challenge to post 31 blogs in 31 days. I have accepted so I can learn more about blogging and also share some of the wonderful things that are going on in my dog massage adventure. The one rule is that the blogs have to be 350 words or less. I am not sure how to do word count in the blog but I will surely learn. For the moment I will approximate 25 words per line so I don't run over. This post will be an overview. I started the dog massage adventure when I began the Bancroft School of Massage, (Worcester, MA) course in April 2011. The course finished in November 2011 and I began my business in January, 2012. So it has been only 8 months since the business started. Including my internship during my Bancroft training, I have done approximately 300 massages in that time. Some were short done at fairs or fund raisers for dog parks or shelters. Others were longer with extensive write-ups done at doggy day cares or shelters and still others were at people's homes. I have also taught 5 one hour seminars and had 5 four-week (once a week) classes with dogs and their owners. In addition, I consistently volunteer at a wonderful shelter called NorthEast Animal Shelter in Salem, MA. They are a large place with room for 100 dogs and 80 cats and are very well run with both satff and volunteers.

New publicity

I just finished my first tri-fold for Skillful  Hands with the enormous help from my friend Sherri. It looks OK for version1 and we are already working on version 2 which is more personal and better in many ways. Working on the brochure obliges me to clarify what exactly I want to say about what I am doing. It is a good exercise in clarification., I am just focusing on dog massage in the brochure but it is clear to me that that will only be part of what I wish to offer as I go forward. Not sure how to put the tri-fold brochure on this post or connect to it. Lots to learn.

Being of Service

Today one of my clients called and asked if I could arrange my schedule and give her dog a massage TODAY. I could hear the urgency in her voice. On arriving, she told me that she had done everything she could think of for her 10 year dog whom she loves. Traditional and alternative methods, medicines, potions and acupuncture but her dog was not doing well - not eating. I gave her dog a long and soothing massage and she fell deeply asleep. The owner talked alot, cried, laughed and was very happy to have some company and to know she was doing everything possible for her dog. It is not clear if her dog will make it. I hope so. She has done her best. I felt privileged to be there and be of service.

Changing a Life

I had a very fulfilling experience this week. One of my students at a course I taught at the animal shelter decided that she would become a certified dog massager. She loves animals and is towards the end of her first career and was looking for a way to do what she loves. She wrote a very kind email to the coordinator of the shelter explaining how much the course had helped her finalize her decision. She chose to go to the same school I attended (Bancroft) which is certainly one of the best in the country. I offered to be a "mentor" to her as she navigated the first steps of her new career. I forwarded her emaill to Bancroft's coordinator and she replied simply "you changed a life." What more can you ask for than that.